Russ Hinckley on FlyerTalk Live! (Oct 6): Questions that we should ask?
Sep 17, 2005, 9:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: RST
Programs: Delta Diamond; Hilton Diamond; Accor Gold
Posts: 4,839
Russ Hinckley on FlyerTalk Live! (Oct 6): Questions that we should ask?
FlyerTalk Live! chat with Russ Hinckley (Managing Director, Northwest WorldPerks) on Oct. 6 @ 9 p.m. ET
It is important to make good use of our time with Russ when he is online. I suggest that we ask one of our moderators to submit key questions so that we do not waste time.
A couple of questions I suggest we ask:
1. What can we expect of the WP program for 2006?
2. Platinum Points: any chance that this promotion be improve as to be relevant to most Platinums?
3. International upgrades: Can we hope for a suitable system for high status/high fares in 2006?
It is important to make good use of our time with Russ when he is online. I suggest that we ask one of our moderators to submit key questions so that we do not waste time.
A couple of questions I suggest we ask:
1. What can we expect of the WP program for 2006?
2. Platinum Points: any chance that this promotion be improve as to be relevant to most Platinums?
3. International upgrades: Can we hope for a suitable system for high status/high fares in 2006?
Sep 17, 2005, 10:17 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 447
really nice 
! i will post some of my thoughts when i reach ORD later.
! i will post some of my thoughts when i reach ORD later.
Sep 17, 2005, 12:42 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York
Programs: AA Plat, CO Gold
Posts: 1,598
Why does NW charge more for award ticket taxes than anyone else? Do they actually pocket the money or do they remit the money to the government for fees which they do not have to collect?
Sep 17, 2005, 2:52 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,538
RTW Award rules
In ticketing a RTW Biz award last month, I know I had hours of frustration since the agents aren´t familar with it, and some that know some are often misinformed. I´d think the rules would be available on the NWA website, but I never found them. While I realize, that they don´t really want to advertise the RTW awards, some info on all the real rules would be nice.
Sep 17, 2005, 3:16 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
I'm curious about lounge benefits & with the recent downgrades - what is being done to retain membership. Sure, free Wi-Fi is good, however, there have been some serious cutbacks - what about increaseing partnerships. Side note - will we still be able to use the HP lounge in LAS in the future with the HP/US merger.
Also - what's up with the increased amounts for awards - taxes don't bother me as much as having to spend way more miles. With UA, I can get a IAD-BKK in biz for 90K easily - rarely an inventory problem. With NW, a standard award in biz to SE Asia, if available, which it never is, is 120K (and the product isn't that much better!). NW miles have been devalued in recent years...
Lastly - the amount one has to pay to purchase an upgradeable fare is ridiculous to Asia. An M class fare used to do it - now it's a B class fare which is often nearly twice the cost of an M class. If I wanted to fly to SE Asia on UA, it'd cost me about $1K for an H-class + 60K miles RT to UG. With NW, it'd cost me about $2.3K + 60K miles RT to UG - and that's if they have the space - the mainland to NRT via a hub city NEVER has space available for UG's!!
Also - what's up with the increased amounts for awards - taxes don't bother me as much as having to spend way more miles. With UA, I can get a IAD-BKK in biz for 90K easily - rarely an inventory problem. With NW, a standard award in biz to SE Asia, if available, which it never is, is 120K (and the product isn't that much better!). NW miles have been devalued in recent years...
Lastly - the amount one has to pay to purchase an upgradeable fare is ridiculous to Asia. An M class fare used to do it - now it's a B class fare which is often nearly twice the cost of an M class. If I wanted to fly to SE Asia on UA, it'd cost me about $1K for an H-class + 60K miles RT to UG. With NW, it'd cost me about $2.3K + 60K miles RT to UG - and that's if they have the space - the mainland to NRT via a hub city NEVER has space available for UG's!!
Sep 17, 2005, 3:19 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,263
Out of curiosity, will Russ only be able to speak to Worldperks questions, or is he also empowered to talk about other NW-related topics (Worldclubs, nwa.com, route network, award travel, etc.)
Sep 17, 2005, 3:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Mesilla, NM
Programs: DL DM 4.7 MM MQM Marriott Ambassador Lifetime Titanium AA CK
Posts: 2,714
Here are two questions that I would like asked
1. Can Skyteam partners release Standard Award Seats at the same time?
2. Since there are going to be many many more Platinums and some of us earned it the hard way (e.g. before the 2x EQM) will their be a distinction?
Thanks to the moderators.
2. Since there are going to be many many more Platinums and some of us earned it the hard way (e.g. before the 2x EQM) will their be a distinction?
Thanks to the moderators.
Sep 17, 2005, 8:43 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: St. Paul, MN
Programs: I've gone dormant. For now.
Posts: 1,480
How about improvements for redeeming awards on nwa.com. It would be of great convienience to have at least some inventory for MH, KE, AF, ect. available on nwa.com.
Sep 17, 2005, 9:48 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,686
Originally Posted by bhatnasx
Also - what's up with the increased amounts for awards - taxes don't bother me as much as having to spend way more miles.
Steve
Sep 18, 2005, 5:27 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
Originally Posted by fromYXU
FlyerTalk Live! chat with Russ Hinckley (Managing Director, Northwest WorldPerks) on Oct. 6 @ 9 p.m. ET
It is important to make good use of our time with Russ when he is online. I suggest that we ask one of our moderators to submit key questions so that we do not waste time.
A couple of questions I suggest we ask:
1. What can we expect of the WP program for 2006?
2. Platinum Points: any chance that this promotion be improve as to be relevant to most Platinums?
3. International upgrades: Can we hope for a suitable system for high status/high fares in 2006?
It is important to make good use of our time with Russ when he is online. I suggest that we ask one of our moderators to submit key questions so that we do not waste time.
A couple of questions I suggest we ask:
1. What can we expect of the WP program for 2006?
2. Platinum Points: any chance that this promotion be improve as to be relevant to most Platinums?
3. International upgrades: Can we hope for a suitable system for high status/high fares in 2006?
We've heard that Northwest will be cutting a substantial percentage of their flights ---
what types of flights will be cut and how will this be determined
will any locations lose service entirely
will any city pairs lose service (eg MSP -FNT)
will NW retain it's hub and spoke system or do something different
Bob H
Sep 18, 2005, 7:48 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MKE
Programs: DL Diamond, 2 MM
Posts: 1,009
Originally Posted by fromYXU
FlyerTalk Live! chat with Russ Hinckley (Managing Director, Northwest WorldPerks) on Oct. 6 @ 9 p.m. ET
It is important to make good use of our time with Russ when he is online. I suggest that we ask one of our moderators to submit key questions so that we do not waste time.
A couple of questions I suggest we ask:
1. What can we expect of the WP program for 2006?
2. Platinum Points: any chance that this promotion be improve as to be relevant to most Platinums?
3. International upgrades: Can we hope for a suitable system for high status/high fares in 2006?
It is important to make good use of our time with Russ when he is online. I suggest that we ask one of our moderators to submit key questions so that we do not waste time.
A couple of questions I suggest we ask:
1. What can we expect of the WP program for 2006?
2. Platinum Points: any chance that this promotion be improve as to be relevant to most Platinums?
3. International upgrades: Can we hope for a suitable system for high status/high fares in 2006?
Sep 18, 2005, 7:52 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: RST
Programs: Delta Diamond; Hilton Diamond; Accor Gold
Posts: 4,839
Originally Posted by jaimemayo
For me, your first question is by far the most important. Now a question for you: Will the answers to your question be posted here?
BTW, I will not be online since I will be "in-air".
Sep 18, 2005, 7:54 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: wood dale, il, usa
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 534
I would be interested in a higher elite level, or receiving some extra goodies, for having over 100K EQM's per year.
Also the west coast WorldClubs not being open for the red-eyes is also a major aggravation.
Also the west coast WorldClubs not being open for the red-eyes is also a major aggravation.
Sep 18, 2005, 8:02 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Originally Posted by bhatnasx
With UA, I can get a IAD-BKK in biz for 90K easily - rarely an inventory problem. With NW, a standard award in biz to SE Asia, if available, which it never is, is 120K (and the product isn't that much better!). NW miles have been devalued in recent years...
Probably not the answer you want to hear, but I can foresee it.
Sep 18, 2005, 8:17 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
I can also foresee it...
Originally Posted by channa
While I agree that you're right, he's going to counter this with the new WBC product, and the NW Platinum 125% bonus vs. UA's 100% for 1K. Also the Plat requalification at 75K makes it easier to attain Plat than UA's 1K, giving you an easier opportunity to earn more miles.
Probably not the answer you want to hear, but I can foresee it.
Probably not the answer you want to hear, but I can foresee it.
I can foresee this too.
